Folding device for carriages, applicable in particular to perambulators



Jan. 8, 1952 P. oLLAGNoN 2,582,152

FOLDING DEVICE FOR CARRIAGES, APPLICABLE IN PARTICULAR TO PERAMBULATORS INVENTOR. @Lasa/VON Ji/J Y Patented Jan. 8, 1952 TENT OFFICE FOLDING DEVICE FOR CARRIAGES, APPLI- CABLE IN PARTICULAR TO PERAMBU- LATORS Paul Ollagnon, Saint-Etienne, France Application February 5, 1948, Serial No. 6,524 In France October 9, 1946 Section 1, Public Law 690, August 8, 1946 Patent expires October I9, 1966 6 Claims.

The object of the invention is to provide a hand-propelled carriage of light construction, all the parts of which can be rapidly folded into a small space to enable it to be readily transported.

By way of example, a perambulator of the pushchair type will hereinafter be described, but it is to be understood that the invention is equally applicable to all types of two-wheel or four-wheel carriages.

In the accompanying drawings, which are not intended to constitute any limitation:

Figure l is an external elevational view of a perambulator constructed in accordance with the invention, in the open position ready for use;

Figure 2 is an external plan View corresponding to Figure l;

Figure 3 shows the perambulator in the folded position;

Figure 4 is an external half-view in profile, as seen from the steering end;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic View of the perambulator on a smaller scale, the dot-and-dash lines representing the position of the folded panels, and

Figure 6 is a plan view corresponding to Figure 5, the dot-and-dash lines again representing the position of the folded panels.

The device illustrated comprises essentially two independent vertical panels A and B supporting Ythe wheels, which may or may not be resiliently suspended and are situated in the same planes as the panels, .the said two panels being connected together by two pins C and D secured to the base of the centrally disposed handle E used for propelling the carriage.

The said pins C and D, which are parallel to one another and to the plane of the panels A and B, are so disposed that:

(l) They coincide with the lbisector m-y of the angle 0 formed on the profile of the carriage by the line of the upper edge of the panels A and B on the one hand and by the line of the handle E on the other hand.

(2) They are symmetrically articulated to the base of the handle E by a T-shaped coupling member F and to each of the panels A and B by two coupling members G and H which full the following conditions: the Width m of the coupling member F, added to the sum of the equal widths (n, o) of the coupling members G and H, is equal to the total width p or track of the carriage.

The equal widths n and o of the coupling members G and H are each equal to one half of the Width m of the coupling member F of the handle E.

Under these conditions, the folding device functions in the following manner:

The carriage `being in the unfolded position, that is to say, ready for running, if the two panels A and B are hinged vback in the direction of the arrow R so as to describe a semi-circle about the pins C and D, the following result will be obtained:

(a) The upper edge of each panel A, B will take up a position parallel to the handle E (angle a--angle (b) The upper edge of each panel A, B will be brought against the handle E (n=1/2m and o: 1Ami) (c) The panels A and B, after having described a semi-circle, will again become parallel to one another and to the handle E (the pins C and D being parallel). Figs. 5 and 6 show diagrammatically on a reduced scale the relative position of either vertical panel with reference to the handle E supposed to retain a permanent angular position. The panel illustrated in solid lines corresponds to its operative position with reference to the handle while the dot and dash illustration of the panel corresponds to its folded inoperative position alongside of the handle after pivoting round the axis -y lying in a plane at middistance between the parallel vertical planes passing through the handle and the panel considered.

Thus the two panels A and B and the handle E will be connected together in the axis of the handle E, so that the carriage can readily be transported.

It is to be noted that in the open position two stops I and J limit the rotation of the panels A and B about their pins C and D and retain them parallel to the handle E.

A seat K independent of the vehicle and constituted by straps or light folding panels is secured to the panels A and B and to the coupling member F.

The arrangements is completed by a tie rod L drawing the two panels A and B towards one another in the opening position and securing the whole arrangement in this position.

It will readily be seen that the folding device hereinbefore described, While being of simple construction, is strong and light, it being understood that the parts not described will be empolyed in the known manner.

It will be understood from the foregoing that the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment or to the constructional form of the parts more particularly described, but covers all modifications thereof.

1. A foldable carriage comprising two independent laterally spaced vertical panels, individual wheels supporting each panel substantially in the vertical plane thereof, a single centrally disposed control handle located obliquely with reference to horizontality in a vertical plane at equal distances from the two vertical panels :and a pivotal connection between each panel and Vthe handle on which said panel is adapted to swing between two positions parallel to the handle round an axis lying in a vertical plane at equaldistanc'es from the vertical plane of the corresponding panel and from the vertical plane passing through the handle, said axis lying in vertical projection along a line equiangularly disposed relatively `to a horizontal line and to the direction of the handle.

2. A foldable carriage comprising two independent laterally spaced vertical panels, individual wheels supporting eachpanel substantially in the vertical plane thereof, a single centrally disposed control handle located obliquely with reference to horizontality in a vertical plane at equal distances from the two vertical panels, a

horizontal `bar rigid with the handle extending perpendicular to either side thereof a distance equal substantially to one half of the distance separating handle from either panel and a lateral projection rigid with one end of either panel and pivot-ally secured to the corresponding free end or" said bar round an axis lying in the vertical plane kpassing through said free end and parallel to the panels, the direction of the pivotal axis in said vertical plane coinciding substantially .vith a line equiangularly disposed relatively to a `horizontal line to the angular direction in .space of the handle in its operative position.

`3. A ol'dable carriage comprising two independent laterally spaced vertical panels constituted each by an incurved tubular member, individual wheels supporting each panel substantially in the vertical plane thereof, a single centrally disposed control handle located o'olquely with reference to horizontality in a vertical plane at equal distances from the two vertical panels and a pivotal connection between each panel and the Vhandle tl'irough which said panel is adapted to pivot round an .axis lying in a vertical planesubstantially along a line equiangularly disposed relatively to a horizontal line and to the direction or the handle, stops rigid with the handle limiting the outward movement of said panels when moved away from the handle towards their operative position and a removable spacing rod'engag ing the rear ends of the panels for holding same in their operative spaced position,

4. A foldaole carriage comprising two independent laterally spaced vertical panels, individual wheels supporting each panel substantially in the vertical plane thereof, a single centrally disposed control handle located obliquely with reference to horiaontality in a vertical plane at equal distances from two vertical panels, a horizontal bar rigid 'Ji-th the handle extending to either side thereof 'a distance equal sub-stan tially to one half of the distance separating said handle from either panel, -a lateral projection rigid with one end or either panelen/.1d pivotally secured to the corresponding free end of said par round an axis lying in the vertical plane passing through said free end and parallel to the panels, the direction of the pivotal axis in said vertical plane lying substantially along a line equiangularly disposed relatively to horizontality and to the angular direction in space of the handle in its operative position, a spacing rod removably holding the panels in their operative spaced position Vand va yielding `seat removably secured between the two lateral panels and adapted to engage the spacing member and horizontal bar system.

5. A foldable carriage comprising two independent laterally spaced vertical panels, individual wheels supporting each panel substantially in the vertical plane thereof, a single centrally disposed vcontrol handle located obliquely with reference to horizontality in a vertical plane at equal distances from the two vertical panels, a horizontal bar rigid with the handle extending to 'either side thereof a distance equal substantially to one half of the distance separating said handle :from either panel, a lateral projection rigid with one end of either panel and pivotally secured to 4the corresponding free end of said bar round an axis lying .in the vertical plane passing through said freeend andparallel to the panels, the .direction oi the pivotal axis in said vertical .plane lying substantially along a line equiangularly'disposedrela'tively to horizontality and to the .angular direction .in space ofthehandle in its operative position, ya spacing rod removably ,holding the panels Vin their operative spaced position, a yielding scat removably secured between the -two lateral panels, casings secured to the :iront and to the rear of each vertical panel and vadapted to pivotaliycarry 7the wheels inthe .planefof'said panels, and yielding means connecting the wheel carrying casings to hold the wheels in `the'vertical plane of the corresponding panel.

6. A ioldable carriage chiefly for use as a yperambulator comprising two wheeled laterally spaced panels, a single centrally disposed .control handle located obliquely with reference to hori- Zontality in a vertical vplane at Iequal :distances from the two panels, means pivotally connecting said handle with the one end of each panel whereby-'the laterally spaced panels are `adapted to be swung through an angle of 180 between an operative position parallel `to and spaced from the Vvertical plane Vcontaining the handle and an inoperative 'position Yin substantial register with the handle to Veither side thereof, a rigid transverse member removably secured to `the other ends of the panels when in operative position, 'and ahutinents connected to and supported by the handle for limiting the movement of the Vpanels at saidpositions.

'PAUL OLLAGNON.

REFERENCES 'CITED The following references are of record in the le 'of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 'Number .Name Date .1,501,917 vKinvall (Dot. `5, .1926 1,637,129 .Pritchett Jul-y26, :1927 y2,414,017 Carr et al. Jan. y7, l19.47 2,422,298 Freis June 17,519.47 

